Namaskar!
My heartiest wishes to all the young friends on World Youth Skills Day! This is the second time that we are celebrating this day amid the Corona epidemic.
The challenges of this pandemic have multiplied the importance of World Youth Skills Day. Another important fact is that we are celebrating 75 years of Indian independence at this time. Today's youth, born in the 21st century, are going to carry India's development journey forward till the 100th year of Indian independence. That is why skill development of the youth of this new generation is a national need; it is the foundation stone for a self-reliant India. We have to accelerate the Skill India Mission afresh by using all the strength of the new institutions that have been formed in the last 6 years.
Friends,
When a society gives importance to skill, then there is not only 'Up-skilling' but also progress that takes place in the society. The world knows this very well. But India's thinking has been two steps ahead of this. Our ancestors had given immense importance to skills while celebrating the same, making skills a part of the joy of the entire society. You see, we worship weapons on Vijayadashami. On Akshaya Tritiya, farmers worship the crops and agricultural machinery. Worship of Lord Vishwakarma has been a major festival in our country for the people associated with every skill and craft. Here, we have been instructed in the scriptures-
विवाहदिषु यज्ञषु, गृह आराम विधायके।
सर्व कर्मसु सम्पूज्यो, विश्वकर्मा इति श्रुतम्॥
That is, be it marriage, house warming ceremony, or any other yagya or social work, worship of Lord Vishwakarma in it is essential. Worship of Vishwakarma means honouring all the Vishwakarmas in our society who engage with different types of creative work in social life. It is also a mark of respect towards Skills. There are so many people like Woodworkers, metal workers, scavengers, gardeners who beautify the garden, potters who create pottery, weavers who weave cloth by hand, whom our tradition has given special respect.
In a verse of Mahabharata also it is said-
विश्वकर्मा नमस्तेस्तु, विश्वात्मा विश्व संभवः॥
That is, salutations to Vishwakarma due to whom everything is possible in the world. Vishwakarma is called Vishwakarma because without his work, without skills, the existence of society would have been impossible. But unfortunately during the long period of colonial rule, the system of skill development had gradually weakened in our social system and our education system.
Friends,
If education provides us with the information on what we have to do, then skill teaches us how that work will be done practically on ground! The country's 'Skill India Mission' is a campaign to connect with this fact or necessity to keep the pace. I am delighted to say that with 'Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana', more than 1.25 crore youth have been trained so far.
Friends,
I want to share one more incident. Once some officers working for skill development had met me. I told them, "you are working hard in this direction, why not make a list of such skills that we use in our daily lives." You will be surprised to know that when they conducted a cursory listing, more than 900 such skills came out which we require for our daily needs. You can imagine how crucial skill development is! Today it is important that learning does not stop with your earning. There is so much demand for skills in the world today that the one, who is skilled will grow. This applies not only to individuals but also to the country as well! In order to help India provide a Smart and Skilled Man-power Solutions to the world, this fact should be at the core of the skilling strategy of our youth. In view of this, the mapping of the Global Skill Gap, which is being done, is a laudable step. Therefore, the mission of skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling for our youth should go on relentlessly.
Today, experts are predicting that as technology is changing rapidly, a large number of people will need re-skilling in the coming 3-4 years. We have to prepare the country for this as well. And during the Corona period itself, we all have seen and felt the importance of skills and skilled workforce very closely. The country was able to fight such an effective battle against Corona and our skilled workforce has a major contribution in this too.
Friends,
Babasaheb Ambedkar had laid a great emphasis on the skilling of the youth as well as the weaker sections. Today, through Skilled India, the country is making every effort to fulfill this visionary dream of Baba Saheb. For example, the country has started 'Going Online As Leaders' ie GOAL programme for the tribal society. This programme will help tribal brothers and sisters in digital literacy and skills, and in developing entrepreneurship in the areas of traditional skills, be it art, culture, handicraft or textile. Similarly, Van Dhan Yojana is also becoming an effective medium to connect the tribal society with new opportunities. We have to make such campaigns more widespread in the coming times, to make ourselves and the country self-reliant through skills.
With these thoughts, my best wishes to you all. Thank you so much!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.